1. Packers' outside linebackers vs. Colin Kaepernick – As much as the 49ers QB has beaten the Packers with his legs in the past, it'll be up to Julius Peppers, Mike Neal, Nick Perry, et al to set the edges and keep him contained. This game won't be about sacking Kaepernick, it'll be about not letting him run.
2. Mike Daniels vs. Alex Boone – There's no telling how often the Packers' best interior pass rusher will line up across from the 49ers' veteran left guard, but when it happens, it'll be worth watching. These are two old-school, hard-nosed players who won't want to give an inch.
3. Randall Cobb and James Jones vs. Tramaine Brock and Kenneth Acker – Cobb and Jones were the workhorses in the passing game on Monday night with Davante Adams sidelined, so they'll see the 49ers' top two corners, each of whom has an interception this season.
4. Clay Matthews vs. Vernon Davis – The Packers might try any number of defenders against the 49ers' veteran tight end, who always seems to make a big play or two against Green Bay. With Matthews' new hybrid role in the middle of the defense, it might be his turn to try against Davis.
5. Micah Hyde vs. Bradley Pinion – San Francisco's rookie punter is off to a strong start with a 42.7-yard net average that ranks eighth in the league. He has placed six of 13 punts inside the 20, and the 49ers have allowed just 39 return yards on six runbacks. With a long return of just 13 yards, Hyde has yet to break free this season, and doing so against this punter and coverage unit won't be easy.
Packers.com's Mike Spofford identifies five key matchups in Sunday's Packers-49ers game.
- Packers' outside linebackers vs. Colin Kaepernick – As much as the 49ers QB has beaten the Packers with his legs in the past, it'll be up to Julius Peppers, Mike Neal, Nick Perry, et al to set the edges and keep him contained. This game won't be about sacking Kaepernick, it'll be about not letting him run.
- Mike Daniels vs. Alex Boone – There's no telling how often the Packers' best interior pass rusher will line up across from the 49ers' veteran left guard, but when it happens, it'll be worth watching. These are two old-school, hard-nosed players who won't want to give an inch.
- Randall Cobb and James Jones vs. Tramaine Brock and Kenneth Acker – Cobb and Jones were the workhorses in the passing game on Monday night with Davante Adams sidelined, so they'll see the 49ers' top two corners, each of whom has an interception this season.
- Clay Matthews vs. Vernon Davis – The Packers might try any number of defenders against the 49ers' veteran tight end, who always seems to make a big play or two against Green Bay. With Matthews' new hybrid role in the middle of the defense, it might be his turn to try against Davis.
- Micah Hyde vs. Bradley Pinion – San Francisco's rookie punter is off to a strong start with a 42.7-yard net average that ranks eighth in the league. He has placed six of 13 punts inside the 20, and the 49ers have allowed just 39 return yards on six runbacks. With a long return of just 13 yards, Hyde has yet to break free this season, and doing so against this punter and coverage unit won't be easy.
